Yankees Place Austin Wells on Injured List Amid Crowded List of Starters

The New York Yankees have placed catcher Austin Wells on the 10-day injured list, citing cervical headaches. This move adds another prominent name to a Yankees roster already dealing with significant absences, including star sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the move on Saturday, stating that Wells reported neck issues leading to headaches late Friday night. He underwent a battery of tests with a neurologist on Saturday to assess the situation.

“Austin came in late last night and complained about some neck stuff that was leading to headaches,” Boone said, as reported by The Athletic. “So, we got him today with a neurologist to put him through a battery of tests and everything, and he checked out negative for [a concussion]. But we want to look at the neck and how that is affecting things. So he’ll go through a battery of tests [Sunday].”

The exact cause and duration of Wells’ absence remain under evaluation, with Boone expressing hope for a short stint on the IL.

Cervical headaches are pain originating from a problem in the cervical spine, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can stem from injuries or conditions affecting the neck, such as arthritis or disc issues.

Wells, a 26-year-old backstop, has struggled offensively this season. He holds a .166 batting average with a .278 on-base percentage and a .255 slugging percentage. He has hit four home runs and driven in seven runs across 47 games. His offensive performance had already led to reduced playing time before this injury.

The Yankees have recalled J.C. Escarra from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill Wells’ spot on the roster. Escarra, along with recently promoted Ali Sánchez, will be tasked with handling catching duties. Sánchez provides a right-handed bat for the team.

Potential Link to Previous Incident

There is a possibility that Wells’ current ailment could be related to an incident on May 19, when Jesús Sánchez of the Toronto Blue Jays accidentally struck Wells in the back of the head with his backswing during a game. Wells remained in that game at the time. However, Boone indicated on Saturday that it was too early to definitively link the cervical headaches to that past event.

“This complaint is new,” Boone stated, per ESPN. “So, whether it’s a cumulative thing or something that happened last night, it’s tough to say.”

The Yankees will continue to monitor Wells’ condition and undergo further testing to determine the full extent of his injury and the timeline for his return.

Impact on the Yankees

The addition of Wells to the injured list further strains the Yankees’ depth, particularly with Judge and Stanton already sidelined. Judge is dealing with a stress fracture in his right first rib, an injury he believes he sustained on April 27 and is expected to keep him out for four to six weeks. Stanton’s specific injury details have not been as widely publicized.

The team’s offensive production will need to be bolstered by other players as they navigate these significant absences. The performance of Escarra and Sánchez behind the plate, and their ability to contribute offensively, will be closely watched.

Datos clave
Player: Austin Wells
Injury: Cervical headaches
Team: New York Yankees
Status: 10-day injured list

Fuente: Yahoo Sports – https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/yankees-place-austin-wells-on-il-that-includes-aaron-judge-giancarlo-stanton-catcher-dealing-with-cervical-headaches-042154120.html

Datos clave